Photo Credit: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN / The Star
At Red Rescue, our mission has always been to raise awareness about water safety and equip individuals with the knowledge to prevent drowning incidents. We’re honoured to be featured in The Star’s recent health article discussing one of the biggest misconceptions about drowning – that it is often silent and difficult to recognise.
The article reinforces an important message that our team has long advocated: understanding the real signs of drowning can save lives.
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like It Does in Movies
Many people believe a drowning victim will splash wildly, wave their arms, and shout for help. In reality, drowning is usually much quieter.
When a person struggles to breathe, their body instinctively focuses on getting air rather than calling out. This means they may appear calm from a distance, even though they are in immediate danger.
Recognising these subtle warning signs is essential for parents, lifeguards, swimming instructors, and anyone spending time around water.
The Different Stages of Drowning
The article explains that drowning generally progresses through three stages.
The first is when a swimmer becomes distressed but is still able to move or respond. As exhaustion sets in, they enter active drowning, where they struggle to keep their head above water and often cannot speak or wave for help. Without immediate rescue, the final stage is submersion, where oxygen deprivation can quickly become life-threatening.
Understanding these stages allows bystanders to identify emergencies earlier and respond more effectively.
Signs You Should Never Ignore
Some of the key warning signs highlighted include:
- A person remaining upright in the water without making progress.
- Repeated attempts to keep their mouth above the surface.
- Quiet or unusual behaviour from children who were previously playing.
- Glassy or unfocused eyes.
- Gasping for air instead of calling for help.
If you notice any of these signs, act immediately. A quick response could save a life.
Prevention Starts With Education
At Red Rescue, we believe prevention is the strongest defence against drowning. Learning water safety, supervising children closely, wearing appropriate flotation devices, and knowing CPR are all important steps that reduce the risk of tragedy.
Education also means correcting common misconceptions. The more people understand what drowning actually looks like, the better prepared they are to recognise an emergency before it’s too late.
Read The Full Article About Water Safety
For a deeper understanding of why drowning is often silent and difficult to recognise, read the original feature published by The Star. If you’re interested in building practical lifesaving skills, explore Red Rescue’s related resources, including our guide to achieving the Bronze Medallion Malaysia certification, the importance of AED Training Malaysia, the five essential emergency response skills everyone should know, and how professional lifeguard outsourcing helps create safer swimming pools and aquatic facilities. Together, these articles provide valuable insights into water safety, emergency preparedness, and drowning prevention for individuals, organisations, and communities.
Red Rescue’s Commitment to Water Safety
Being featured in The Star is a meaningful opportunity to continue spreading awareness about drowning prevention. Every article, training session, and public education initiative helps build a community that is better prepared to respond in emergencies.
Red Rescue remains committed to providing professional water safety education, lifeguard training, CPR certification, and lifesaving programmes that empower individuals with practical skills and confidence.
Together, we can create safer aquatic environments and help prevent avoidable drowning incidents through education, preparedness, and awareness.
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